Unibet Fined By NSW Gambling Watchdog For Violating Advertising Rules

Unibet has been slapped with a fine by the New South Wales (NSW) gambling regulator for violating the gambling regulations by offering illegal gambling inducements to local players.

Unibet operates with Betchoice, an Australian gambling operator. It was convicted and fined by an Australian court.

The gambling watchdog, Liquor and Gaming NSW, has confirmed that the betting operator was penalized by Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court.

Violating Gambling Advertising Rules

Unibet was found to be guilty of violating the state’s gambling advertising laws. The gambling regulator alleged that a n advert which appeared on the Unibet website in February 2019 was in violation of the state’s gambling laws.

The advert read:“Earn $50 CASH For Each Friend You Refer!”

The gambling regulator contested in the lawsuit that the advert was violating the NSW Betting and Racing Act, as the law prohibits gambling advert that “includes any inducement to participate, or participate frequently, in any gambling activity (including an inducement to open a betting account).”

According to the existing legal provisions, such gambling adverts can only be used for players who are already registered with the operator. The operator was fined as the gambling adverts in question were for the public at large.

“Inducements are known to increase the risk of gambling harm so any breaches are taken seriously.

“Under new laws that recently came into effect, wagering operators found guilty of promoting inducements to gamble face fines of up to $110,000 per offence and company directors can be individually and criminally liable.”